The injury bug has bitten for the second time today, and now it’s affecting a title fight.

After campaigning heavily for a title shot against Ben Henderson in his hometown, Anthony Pettis will get his wish in a roundabout way as TJ Grant has been injured and forced to withdraw.

It’s unfortunate news for the Canadian Grant, who earned his shot at the belt with an impressive knockout of Gray Maynard at UFC 160.

However, Pettis vs. Henderson is one of the most-wanted fights ever since Pettis took the WEC lightweight title from Henderson at the promotion’s last show in 2010. “Showtime” expressed his good fortune via Twitter:

U can’t stop destiny !!! Me and Henderson for the belt in my home town!!!!

Many deem Pettis the man with the best shot at dethroning Henderson, who has used the loss to fuel his fire to remain undefeated in his UFC career. The fact that the bout is in Pettis’ hometown of Milwaukee makes the bout one of epic magnitude. UFC 164 just became perhaps the most electrifying MMA event outside of Anderson Silva getting KO’ed.

Who do you like in the blockbuster?

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Entity/ Entity

Henderson will train like h3ll. Pettis thinks he's got this in the bag, I wouldnt be so sure of that. Also, Pettis better not get injured since his last set back, it is more than possible he could.

Without the Pettis kick, Im not sure he would have won the first time.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/IGMBurninPiff/ IGMBurninPiff

I don't know that he would have won without the Showtime kick either. That fight was close and Pettis edged him out with that. I like both fighters alot but I've always been a Bendo fan more. I think Pettis takes this. I don't want to say easily but I think he takes this alot more decisively this time around. While Bendo seems to have stalled and only fight his flashy point style to take close decisions Pettis' game has grown all around. Pettis' training on the regular with Ben Askren can only help his cause with Bendo. If he can keep Bendo from mixing it up the way he likes to I think Pettis wins. It's not about taking him down and holding him down. It's just about taking him down enough to make Pettis stop throwing wild things. If Pettis' can be confident enough to put pressure on the whole fight his striking is easily better than Bendo

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Brian-Cox/ Brian Cox

Well, I'm going to say it's a good thing.

Not that TJ is injured, but that this fight will happen and presumably, TJ will get the winner of Henderson / Pettis.

If this is the case, then look for UFC "X" in Halifax, as the place where it will happen. The UFC would be stupid to pass up the opportunity to put an event on in TJ's hometown. They've wanted to come to the East Coast of Canada for quite some time, this…is the golden opportunity.

I hope Grant's injury is not substantial and that he could be ready for his shot in "The City of Trees" in early 2014.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Highkick12/ highkick12

Finally a good injury.
Sorry Grant but this is the fight we all want. You can have the winner, which is hopefully Pettis.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Entity/ Entity

lol , TJ's all "hey everyone is happy I got hurt"

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Akieyugames/ akieyugames

Now that's the proper way to earn a fight,you aint chael, kidding aside, hope Grant heals up well and fast,

http://lowkickmma.com/members/PukeVomit/ PukeVomit

great

http://lowkickmma.com/members/ImmaBoss/ ImmaBoss

Wow feel bad for Grant but as we all know everyone's been waiting for Pettis vs Bendo for a while Got my boy Bendo winning this but hopefully by a finish, i am am however kinda scared knowing how dangerous Pettis's striking is but hey good luck to both men

http://lowkickmma.com/members/N.C./ N.C.

TJ verse the winner…

But really, this is the fight. Petitis was out pointed by Clay. The same judges for maynard fight would've had petitis win. Clay does zero damage.

This is interesting… also on a deep down level. Petitis is the champ I think a lot of people have been waiting for to light up the LW division!

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Lokkey/ Lokkey

YES!

http://lowkickmma.com/author/kungfurule kungfurule

DW: There is 50K in that bag there.
TJ.: OMG im injured.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Entity/ Entity

LMAO, I must have been sleepy the first time I read that, I just didnt get it.
Ok, I'll go back in my cage for that one.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Thexperience1/ thexperience1

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Thexperience1/ thexperience1

Oh and Pettis takes this…. and that's the end of it!

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Entity/ Entity

Careful with the crystal ball Experience1, you might get Silva'd and we've had enough excuses lately 8))

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Thexperience1/ thexperience1

My crystal ball says if Pettis FIGHTS, he wins….!! I don't need my crystal ball to see what happens if he doesn't fight, Silva showed us the result of that